I found ACB to be pretty good. Yeah, I agree it’s a little bit clinical, but for meeting people it’s a great place to start. Particularly as most people start their NZ experience in Auckland. Their travel agents were also very good when i was there.

Huonville / Cygnet TAS | Huon Valley Backpackers / Balfe’s Hill >>
Great for work between Oct and April, but volume of work rises and falls during this time. Jayne’s not anything like as bad as some reviews will have you believe. Call up-front if it’s work you’re looking for, and be prepared to wait a few days until you get a decent job. Sticking it out will ensure you rise up the work list and start getting the better jobs.

<a rel=“nofollow” target=“_blank” target=“_blank”>Perth | Ocean Beach Backpackers >></a>
Not the cleanest, or the best value, or the most comfortable hostel in the world, but the location is sweeeeeet. Right on Cottesloe beach, so great if you’re looking for a great place for watersports, this is your place. (NB: I am, of course, talking about outdoor watersports. If you’re into dorm room watersports, you can probably pick any hostel. Though not the top bunk).

<a rel=“nofollow” target=“_blank” target=“_blank”>Byron Bay | The Arts Factory >></a>
is one that a lot of people recommend, but my personal choice is the YHA. Cracking little hostel, and a little underated, if I’m honest.

Quito, Ecudor. | Crossroads >>
This is a friendly, small hostel which has a 24 hour kitchen (always handy) where you can order food and drink to be cooked for you. Wicked location.

Canoa, Ecuador | Hotel Bambu >>
Like living in paradise. Right on the beach, cheap rooms with own toilets and balcony, great bar with a fantastic happy hour. Cash only though, so bring money as there is no ATM nearby.

I;ha Grande, Brazil | Aquario Hostel >>
The best hostel in Brazil. Fact. Free kayaks and surfboards, right on the beach, free BBQs, decent rooms, some of the best beaches in the world. Quite simply raises the bar for hostels anywhere.

Chiang Mai | Julie’s Guest House >>
Super cheap and great for the money. for under 200 baht a night you can get a double room with ensuite. Not as basic as you might think. Great little bar and rooftop chill-out area with hammocks. Bit annoying when it’s fully booked.

Bangkok | New Siam Guest Houses >>
Little chain of guest houses around the Rambuttri area, just off Khao San Road. All lovely, and they vary in price from about 400 baht up to 1500 baht a night. You can share double and triple rooms though, which makes it cheap. Number 2 has a nice pool. Nice staff.

Battambang (Cambodia) | Royal Hotel
Superb guest house. Perfect base for exploring the area. Great rooftop bar. Hook up with the motorbike taxi fellas in the foyer and spend a day out in the countryside with them. Great experience, lovely chaps. Try and form a bit of a gang and head out on the bikes together.

Located on Rambuttri near KSR. Not going to lie but the some of the staff are pretty rude and the room defo aren’t the best but it’s undoubtably a very easy place to meet new people and the rooms are well cheap.

Don Santiago >> Pato the owner is great and its about half the price of everywhere else and I have no idea why

Ilha Grande

Che Legarto >> what can i say this place is paradise. On an island with no roads or even ATMs. This hostel has decking out the front for drinks and food which stands over the gently lapping sea. Paradise!!

this place is an absolute gem, 90 pence per night, free bicycles, free internet, big dorms no bigger than 4 beds. The people that run this place are amazing, would do anything for you, bring you various Thai delights to eat and drink all through your stay for free, take you out and about as if you were one of their family, they also organise some amazing treks and activities. Take a look at their website - quality. Best place I stayed in the north of Thailand.